MADELEY, England -- As many retired English people like to do, June Kingsley-Rowe Potter lives in the countryside. She takes her dog on long-distance walks around Madeley. She cares for her garden. She volunteers for charity work, and enjoys traveling. For her research into local history, she reads ancient documents in Latin. A career physiotherapist, she still undertakes part-time community home visits.
Through the good offices of Dr. Sato of the Sendai National Hospital, in 1964 June went to live and work in Japan. She was invited to serve as clinical supervisor of Japanese students of physiotherapy. In the previous year, with the help of WHO adviser Tali Conine and the supervision of Dr. Sunahara, Japan opened its first School of Rehabilitation. According to Dr. Haga, who headed the new school's teaching division in the Tokyo National Chest Hospital, up until that time Japan had no trained and qualified physiotherapists.
From childhood June was used to frequent moving around. She was born in Malta, where her father was serving as a Royal Naval officer. After returning to the U.K., the family moved periodically to different locations around the country. June said: "My mother was resolved that I, my sister and two brothers should grow up to believe in world friendship and peace. Her principles were tested when I traveled to Japan. Many friends had been involved in the Pacific war. However, both my parents were reassured when I wrote telling of the warm welcome and kindness I received."